John Culberson - Political Positions -

John A. Culberson

Representative John A. Culberson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name:	John A. Culberson
Office:	U.S. House (TX) - District 7, Republican
First Elected:	11/2000
Last Elected:	11/06/2012
Next Election:	2014

Gender:	Male
Family:	Wife: Belinda; 1 Child: Caroline
Birth Date:	08/24/1956
Birth Place:	Houston, TX
Home City:	Houston, TX
Religion:	Methodist

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John Culberson refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public ecords to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2012, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Pro-life		Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. HR 6099. 110th Congress. Abortion Pain Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 12/06/2006. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Twitter: CongCulberson. 26 April 2012. "Family Research Council applauds Rep. Culberson for his pro-family and pro-life efforts in Congress. https://twitter.com/CongCulberson/status/195622729322471426. (1.usa.gov) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Texas State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Abortions should always be illegal." Planned Parenthood. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) National Organization for Women. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, the National Organization for Women attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2008, the National Organization for Women gave John Culberson a rating of 19 percent." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H AMDT 209. 109th Congress. Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment. John Culberson voted Nay on 05/25/2005. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Texas State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be legally available." Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Family Research Council 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H Amdt 95. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood. John Culberson voted Yea on 02/18/2011. (votesmart.org) NARAL Pro-Choice America. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H Amdt 509. 111th Congress. Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services. John Culberson voted Yea on 11/07/2009. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 3. 112th Congress. Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. John Culberson voted Yea on 05/04/2011. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. S 403. 110th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. John Culberson voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "i) Prohibit public funding of abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions." John Culberson. Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. 17 February 2011. "Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Pence amendment. It's important to note that the Hyde amendment has been in place for decades. There's overwhelming support among the American people that we don't want our tax dollars used to subsidize or support abortion in any way. And people listening to the debate tonight, those on the floor, pro-life Democrats, no matter who you are, shouldn't be distracted by the discussion of the family, the health care services provided by the organization Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood could solve this public policy problem they've got by simply refusing to perform abortions. If they stop performing abortions this is not an issue. If Planned Parenthood would stop turning a blind eye or, at best, stop being indifferent to the criminal conduct that's been exposed at their facilities and lead the charge to see that criminal complaints are sworn out against people associated with Planned Parenthood or their employees engaged in criminal conduct, a lot of this problem would go away. All Planned Parenthood has to do is say they're going to stop performing abortions. And yet they won't do it." (votesmart.org) National Right to Life Committee. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Abortions should always be legally available." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should be illegal when the fetus is viable, with or without life support." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal." John Culberson. HR 748. 109th Congress. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. John Culberson voted Yea on 04/27/2005. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research Peace Action West. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of Peace Action West 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Issue Position: Defense. 6 October 2011. "The safety and security of our nation is always my top priority. Our men and women in uniform defended American interests abroad and spread freedom by ousting brutal regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan replacing them with functioning democracies that are now allies in the war on terror. We are making progress in this war and we must stay on the offensive. I support maintaining a strong and visible presence around the world to ensure American prosperity and protect our country from foreign terrorists and hostile regimes. We must also ensure that our troops have the resources and support they need from Congress, while leaving strategic and tactical decisions to the commanders in the field. Congress should not micromanage or second-guess decisions made in real time on the battlefield. I am immensely proud of the men and women of our armed forces, and they can always count on my unwavering support." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H Con Res 28. 112th Congress. Removing Troops from Afghanistan. John Culberson voted Nay on 03/17/2011. (votesmart.org) Peace Action. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Peace Action 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Statement on Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan. 23 June 2011. "Nearly ten years ago, our mission in Afghanistan began as an endeavor to rid the world of the evil radicals who brought death and destruction to our country on September 11, 2001. Thanks to the guidance of our military commanders and the bravery of every member in the United States Armed Services, we have dismantled the Taliban, assembled a government, and finally eliminated one of history's most malicious threats, Osama bin Laden. While I do not believe in nation building with borrowed American tax dollars, I have immense faith in the leadership of our military and intelligence services. Any decision to withdraw military personnel from Afghanistan should be based on the sound judgment and decision-making of the men and women who have spent the last decade fighting on Afghan soil protecting our freedoms and way of life. Therefore, I will only support a withdrawal proposal that is endorsed by our military and intelligence leaders." (votesmart.org)
No		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. Letter to Senator Reid on Defense Sequestration. 1 August 2012. "In statements and testimony made by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta concerning sequestration, the Secretary has underscored the severity of such cuts. Sequestration, he says, 'would have a devastating effect not only on national defense but I think on the rest of the country. It's totally unacceptable, and frankly our political leaders cannot allow it to happen.' He has also likened the sequestration trigger to 'shooting ourselves in the head.' In order to provide for our nation's common defense, we must avert sequestration. [¦] the House passed H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012, which would replace the first year of defense sequestration with strategic commonsense spending reductions. This bill represents a good faith effort to identify solutions to reduce our deficit while funding our defense priorities. To that end, we simply request that you schedule an immediate vote on this valuable solution or produce a Senate legislative strategy so that we may work together to stave off this unacceptable cut to our national security." (culberson.house.gov) John Culberson. HR 1363. 112th Congress. 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations. John Culberson voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 4939. 110th Congress. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006. John Culberson voted Yea on 06/13/2006. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Not a Priority" for: "Indicate your priorities for spending any anticipated federal budget surplus. a) Defense" John Culberson. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 06/20/2006. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H Amdt 13. 112th Congress. Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement. John Culberson voted Nay on 02/15/2011. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 4986. 110th Congress. Defense Authorizations Bill. John Culberson voted Did Not Vote on 01/16/2008. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 5010. 108th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003. John Culberson voted Yea on 10/10/2002. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 4200. 108th Congress. Defense Department FY2005 Authorization Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 05/20/2004. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 2642. 110th Congress. Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. John Culberson voted Yea on 06/19/2008. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 5631. 110th Congress. Department Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2007. John Culberson voted Yea on 09/26/2006. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Issue Position: Defense. 11 October 2011. "The safety and security of our nation is always my top priority. Our men and women in uniform defended American interests abroad and spread freedom by ousting brutal regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan replacing them with functioning democracies that are now allies in the war on terror. We are making progress in this war and we must stay on the offensive. I support maintaining a strong and visible presence around the world to ensure American prosperity and protect our country from foreign terrorists and hostile regimes. We must also ensure that our troops have the resources and support they need from Congress, while leaving strategic and tactical decisions to the commanders in the field. Congress should not micromanage or second-guess decisions made in real time on the battlefield. I am immensely proud of the men and women of our armed forces, and they can always count on my unwavering support." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Rep. Culberson Supports GOP Budget Bill. 30 March 2012. "Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) voted in support of the House Republican budget that will drastically cut federal spending and scale back the size of the government, but also protect funding for our military and reform critical health and retirement programs for our seniors. 'The most serious threat to our nation's defense is our debt,' said Rep. Culberson. 'The Republican budget is the only budget plan that has been offered that makes an earnest effort to cut year-to-year spending, safeguard our military defenses, and rescue Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid from bankruptcy.'" (culberson.house.gov) John Culberson. HR 3222. 110th Congress. Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008. John Culberson voted Yea on 08/05/2007. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Vote Smart's Research Americans for Tax Reform. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 100 percent in 2007." (votesmart.org) National Taxpayers Union. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported reasonable tax and spending policies as defined by the National Taxpayers Union 90 percent of the time in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayers Protection Pledge. "I pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Texas and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (www.atr.org) Citizens for Tax Justice. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 0 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 1836. 107th Congress. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001. John Culberson voted Yea on 05/16/2001. (votesmart.org)
No		Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. An Original Cosponsor of the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. 15 July 2011. "As an original cosponsor of the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011, I applaud our Republican leadership for bringing this urgent legislation to the House floor next week. This bill invokes a three step process to solve our national debt crisis. First, it cuts spending by $111 billion in Fiscal Year 2012, including $76 billion in non-security discretionary spending cuts. Second, it caps federal spending levels for this fiscal year and the next 10 years, which ensures that our government cannot spend beyond its means. And finally, it forces the federal government to balance its ledger by requiring a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution before Congress can authorize any debt limit increase. It's time for us to slam the brakes on President Obama's profligate spending and rescue our country from financial ruin. I look forward to casting a resounding yes vote next week for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011." (votesmart.org) Americans for Prosperity. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "2) Would you support enforcing the spending limits agreed to in 1997 by the President and Congress to balance the budget?" The Club for Growth. 04/18/2012. "On the votes used to calculate its ratings, The Club for Growth attaches more value to those votes it considers more important. For 2010, The Club for Growth gave John Culberson a rating of 97 percent." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 1424. 110th Congress. Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments. John Culberson voted Nay on 10/03/2008. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Congressional Priorities. 25 July 2007. "I voted against the farm bill, billions of dollars for AIDS in Africa as money we don't have; voted against the No Child Left Behind because that is an intrusion of the 10th amendment sovereignty of the States and money we can't afford to spend; voted against the Medicare prescription drug program. I have voted against most of the big spending programs that have been driven through this House, because I truly believe that I have got a responsibility to my daughter and future generations to try to keep Federal spending at a minimum, diminish the size, power, and cost to the Federal Government." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Cong. Culberson: Just Say No To Federal Spending. 26 February 2009. "Today President Obama released a blueprint of his budget that would push the federal deficit to $1.75 trillion for this year. The President's budget also calls for a $1.4 trillion dollar tax increase. Herbert Hoover and history have shown us that raising taxes during a recession leads to record unemployment. Yesterday the Democrat-led Congress added an extra $32 billion dollars to the 2009 budget and last week they passed a $797 billion dollar 'stimulus' bill. In just 21 working days, the Democrat-led Congress has already spent over $1.3 trillion dollars of your money. Federal spending has become like a drug in Washington these days and the government is hooked. Never before have so few, spent so much, in so little time. It is time to 'just say no' to federal spending in Washington." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Further Continuing Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2009. 6 March 2009. "We are spending money we do not have. We're borrowing money to pay off borrowed money. It is as though the new majority were paying off America's mortgage with a credit card. And everyone in America understands that this defies common sense. It defies all reason. No one in their private life would engage in conduct like this. And we, at a time of economic peril for the Nation, should not engage in it in Congress. We, in the minority, the fiscal conservatives, have not only fought as politely as thoughtfully and carefully as we can this spending, but today we're offering a clear choice to the Congress and the country. We fiscal conservatives are offering an alternative to freeze Federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year with a continuing resolution. It's called freeze current spending. That's common sense. It's something everyone in America can understand, that at home, in our businesses, and certainly when it comes to protecting the Treasury of the United States of America, we must not spend more than we bring in." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. House Democrats Reject Another Spending Cut. 21 May 2010. "Last week, House Republicans asked the American people a simple question: Where would you cut federal spending? Within a week, over 280,000 Americans voted online and by text message through YouCut, a one-of-a-kind program created by House Republicans for the American people to vote on specific spending items they'd like to see cut. After a week of voting, Americans have spoken loudly and clearly: Cut a recently created $2.5 billion annual welfare program that subverts the highly successful welfare reforms made in 1996. Yesterday, House Republicans called a vote on whether or not Congress should debate and vote on this cut. The motion was soundly rejected by Democrats in a 240-177 vote, with only 9 Democrats joining Republicans in our effort to bring this $2.5 billion cut up for debate. It is shameful that this liberal Congress wouldn't even allow a debate on the issue. Time after time this liberal majority has blocked even modest reductions in federal spending. With deficits soaring to alarming heights and the national debt approaching $13 trillion, we must get our fiscal house in order to keep from becoming Greece or Argentina." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Issue Position: Spending. 6 October 2011. "Congress must find ways to reduce spending on wasteful projects and to reform entitlement programs. Record deficits threaten our economic prosperity and the financial security of future generations. The federal government's budget deficit is projected to exceed $163 billion in 2008. The federal debt is over $9.2 trillion. A balanced budget amendment to the Constitution is the only guaranteed way to reduce government spending. I am a cosponsor of H.J. Res 1, which would add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Congress has an obligation to pay down the national debt so future generations are not burdened by the spending excesses of today. The budget deficit requires every agency and program to identify and cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and to limit spending to the bare necessities. Entitlements such as Medicare, Social Security, and farm subsidies are known as "mandatory spending" programs. The federal government spends sixty percent of its budget on mandatory spending, which is growing at an unsustainable 6% a year. Congress must reform entitlement programs to help balance the budget and control long term spending. Interest payments on the debt are beginning to consume large portions of the federal budget, making it increasingly more difficult to balance the budget and to provide taxpayers with the government services they expect. Congressional offices receive federal funding for staff salaries and official business. I responsibly use these resources; nearly 400 Congressional offices spend more money than my office each year. On average, my office returns 16.88 percent of its allotment to the federal treasury each year, where it can be used to reduce the federal debt. Since 2001, my office has saved taxpayers $867,336 at an average amount of $144,556 a year. If every Representative spent at this fiscally responsible level, it would save our country over $55 million a year." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 5297. 112th Congress. Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments. John Culberson voted Nay on 09/23/2010. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment." John Culberson. HR 2. 108th Congress. Jobs and Economic Growth bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 05/23/2003. (votesmart.org)
No		Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "l) Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Promote education flexibility by giving federal funds, in the form of block grants, to the states to spend it as they see fit." John Culberson. Issue Position: Education. 11 October 2011. "The education of our children is not a power delegated to the federal government under the Constitution. This power rests exclusively with parents, local school districts, and state legislatures. I believe the No Child Left Behind Act gives too much authority to bureaucrats at the Department of Education and wastes billions of our tax dollars each year. State legislatures should have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to accept the dollars and the mandates tied to federal education grant programs. I am introducing the Restoration of State Sovereignty Act to empower states by giving them the opportunity to accept or reject federal grant money. State legislatures should consent to federal grant allocations, as well as their obligations, just like a patient consents to a medical procedure." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing of public school students."
Yes		Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. H Amdt 773. 112th Congress. Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards. John Culberson voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 3534. 112th Congress. Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments. John Culberson voted Nay on 07/30/2010. (votesmart.org) Environment America. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of Environment America 13 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 1230. 112th Congress. Offshore Leasing Act. John Culberson voted Yea on 05/05/2011. (votesmart.org)
No		Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "j) Reduce current federal regulations on the environment." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "c) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Promote the selling of pollution credits between nations to encourage industries to decrease pollution levels." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles." John Culberson. HR 910. 112th Congress. Energy Tax Prevention Act. John Culberson voted Yea on 04/07/2011. (votesmart.org) Environment America. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of Environment America 13 percent in 2009." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 2454. 111th Congress. Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade"). John Culberson voted Nay on 06/26/2009. (votesmart.org) League of Conservation Voters. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org)
No		Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. Update from Congressman Culberson. 3 July 2008. "Last Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision overturning the District of Columbia's ban on hand guns, and upholding the Second Amendment rights of individuals to keep and bear arms. The underlying issue was the interpretation of whether the 'right to bear arms' applied to individuals or to state militias. The decision marks the first time the Supreme Court has ever conclusively interpreted the meaning of the Second Amendment since it was ratified 217 years ago. I am thrilled with the Court's decision to uphold the Constitution and validate our individual liberty." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H AMDT 1156. 110th Congress. Trigger Lock Amendment. John Culberson voted Yea on 06/28/2006. (votesmart.org) Gun Owners of America. 04/18/2012. "In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave John Culberson a grade of 82." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. S 397. 109th Congress. Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 10/20/2005. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." National Rifle Association. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. National Rifle Association endorsed John Culberson in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 6842. 110th Congress. Repealing Portions of the D.C. Firearm Ban. John Culberson voted Yea on 09/17/2008. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Issue Position: Second Amendment Rights. "Thomas Jefferson said, 'Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.' Throughout my years of public service, I have always been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. During my 14 years as a Texas State Representative, I helped pass legislation allowing individuals to carry concealed handguns with a permit. This law enables Texans protect themselves and their families from dangerous criminals. Since the law passed, Texas has seen significant drops in its violent crime rates. The Framers of our Constitution established the Second Amendment with the intent of protecting every individual's right to keep and bear arms. I believe the best way to reduce crime rates is by enforcing the laws that are already on the books rather than restricting the gun rights of law-abiding American citizens. You can be sure that I will always fight to defend your Second Amendment rights." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Texas State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic weapons." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "i) Raise the minimum age for ownership of handguns from 18 to 21." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 1998 Texas State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Favor allowing citizens to carry concealed firearms." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "k) Require a license for gun possession." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "j) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting." Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 0 percent from 1988-2003 (Senate) or 1991-2003 (House)." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Vote Smart's Research American Public Health Association. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income." John Culberson. HR 2. 112th Congress. Repealing the Health Care Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 01/19/2011. (votesmart.org)
Yes		Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Vote Smart's Research John Culberson. HR 4437. 109th Congress. Border Security Bill. John Culberson voted Yea on 12/16/2005. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Culberson Introduces Bill To Secure Amercia's Southern Border. 15 June 2007. "My highest priority is protecting our borders and defeating any bill that offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. Rather than working on bills that would encourage more illegal immigration and reward people who break our laws, Congress should focus on border security and passing common sense proposals such as the Border Law Enforcement Enhancement Act." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Grant U.S. citizenship to children born in the US only if their parents immigrated legally." Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed John Culberson in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Issue Position: Border Security. 6 October 2011. "I am strongly opposed to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Respect for the rule of law is a hallmark of our democracy, and one of the reasons America has the largest immigrant population in the world. We must work to streamline and improve our visa system so that people who want to come to our country legally through the proper channels are able to do so without unnecessary delays." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children." John Culberson. No Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants. 18 May 2007. "Republicans in the House are in a state of shock and disbelief. Legalizing illegal immigrants means amnesty and we will do everything in our power to stop it. Our country must have the rule of law and order and it is wrong to reward people who have broken the law. We need to make sure people are coming here for the right reasons. We need to focus on enforcing our existing laws and securing our borders first and we cannot permit this bill to pass. This amnesty bill, along with final approval of the Mexican totalization agreement, will allow every illegal immigrant from Mexico and their entire extended family anywhere in the world to receive benefits from our already overburdened and nearly bankrupt Social Security system. Even worse, they will be able to vest after only six quarters, while hardworking Americans can only vest after forty quarters. If they want to work here and eventually become citizens, illegal immigrants should go home and reenter our country legally to show they are willing to respect our laws. They need to use the existing visa system and get in line with everyone else." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Zero Tolerance Program Dramatically Reducing Illegal Immigration. 13 July 2007. "The Del Rio sector is now closed to illegal immigrants thanks to the initiative of local Federal District Judge Alia Ludlum and Border Patrol Chief Randy Hill. In their sector, they are no longer tolerating illegal aliens coming into the United States and they are insisting that the law be enforced. The effect has been dramatic. They are arresting, prosecuting, and locking up every illegal alien for six months and then deporting them. Before Operation Streamline began, the Border Patrol arrested about 7000 illegal aliens crossing the border every month from countries other than Mexico. Last month, they arrested only about twenty. This proves we can protect the border with existing laws and existing resources. Once word got out that illegal aliens were being prosecuted, illegal crossings plummeted. Law enforcement works and it is protecting our communities and our nation. Unfortunately there is a systematic and deliberate refusal to enforce immigration laws along the rest of the border. It's outrageous and I will not rest until our borders are secure and we have zero tolerance from Brownsville to San Diego." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Senate Amnesty Bill Defeated. 28 June 2007. "I will use every legal, legislative and political tool at my disposal to make the administration enforce our immigration laws and secure our border, and I will not rest until these goals are achieved. I will fight amnesty for illegal aliens at all costs. I am immensely proud to represent the people of West Houston, and I will always do my best to make you proud of my work on your behalf." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Letter to President Obama. 9 September 2011. "Members of the bipartisan Immigration Reform Caucus along with member of the House vehemently oppose your August 18 2011 announcement to bypass Congress and use prosecutorial discretion to achieve amnesty to individuals who are illegally residing in the US. The manner with which your administration has introduced this policy not only robs the public of a thorough betting, but it also fails to appreciate the negative consequences of this policy shift...Also, this policy has the added affect of further encouraging illegal immigration. Frankly put, if we don't take our own laws seriously enough to enforce, why should we expect anyone to follow them? This policy will introduce a new wave a illegal immigrants emboldened with the knowledge that not only is it okay to break the law, but they will likely be rewarded for it with de facto amnesty statues, thereby exacerbating an already vicious cycle we as a nation try been trying to address for over two decades. This attempt to satisfy the narrow interests for the pro-amnesty lobby has ultimately earned the distrust of the greater American public. Our fear is that this policy will irreparably harm the prospects of true immigration reform for many years to come. Mr President, our request is simple: enforce our immigration laws evenly without passion, prejudice or preference." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 5281. 112th Congress. DREAM Act. John Culberson voted Nay on 12/08/2010. (votesmart.org) National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of National Latino Congreso/William C. Velásquez Institute 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Federation for American Immigration Reform. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 100 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed John Culberson in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
No		Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?
Vote Smart's Research Family Research Council. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Family Research Council 100 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) American Family Association. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the American Family Association 94 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. H J Res 88. 110th Congress. Same-Sex Marriage Resolution. John Culberson voted Yea on 07/18/2006. (votesmart.org) Human Rights Campaign. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 0 percent in 2010." (votesmart.org) Traditional Values Coalition. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Traditional Values Coalition 85 percent in 2006" (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 2965. 112th Congress. Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act. John Culberson voted Nay on 12/15/2010. (votesmart.org) American Civil Liberties Union. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 5 percent in 2006." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. HR 3685. 110th Congress. Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). John Culberson voted Nay on 11/07/2007. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Vote Smart's Research Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
Unknown Position		Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Vote Smart's Research Alliance for Retired Americans. 04/18/2012. "John Culberson supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 44 percent in 2008." (votesmart.org) John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government." John Culberson. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves."

Key

: Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
: Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
: Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
: Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Congressional Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

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Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.
	a) Abortions should always be illegal.
	b) Abortions should be illegal when the fetus is viable, with or without life support.
	c) Abortions should always be legally available.
	d) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X	e) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X	f) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X	g) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
X	h) Prohibit the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial birth" abortion.
X	i) Prohibit public funding of abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
	j) Support "buffer-zones" by requiring demonstrators to stay at least five feet from abortion clinic doorways and driveways.
	k) Provide funding for family planning programs as a means to decrease the number of abortions.
	l) Other

Budgetary Priorities
Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following general categories.
Slightly Decrease Funding	a) Agricultural
Eliminate Funding	b) Arts
Slightly Increase Funding	c) Defense
Slightly Increase Funding	d) Education
Slightly Decrease Funding	e) Environmental
Greatly Decrease Funding	f) International aid
Slightly Increase Funding	g) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase Funding	h) Medical Research
Greatly Increase Funding	i) National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA)
Slightly Decrease Funding	j) National Parks
Greatly Increase Funding	k) Scientific Research
Slightly Increase Funding	l) Transportation and Highway Infrastructure
Slightly Decrease Funding	m) Welfare
	n) Other

Yes	2) Would you support enforcing the spending limits agreed to in 1997 by the President and Congress to balance the budget?

Defense Spending
Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories.
Slightly Increase Funding	a) Armed Forces personnel training
Slightly Increase Funding	b) Covert intelligence operations
Slightly Increase Funding	c) Defense plant conversion
Slightly Increase Funding	d) Military hardware
Slightly Increase Funding	e) Military space shuttle missions
Greatly Increase Funding	f) Pay for active duty personnel
Greatly Increase Funding	g) National Missile Defense Program
Greatly Increase Funding	h) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Greatly Increase Funding	i) Programs to improve military retention rates
Greatly Increase Funding	j) Research and development of new weapons
Greatly Increase Funding	k) Troop and equipment readiness
	l) Other

Budget Surplus
Indicate your priorities for spending any anticipated federal budget surplus.
Not a Priority	a) Defense
Lowest Priority	b) Education
Highest Priority	c) Federal debt reduction
Medium Priority	d) Medicare
High Priority	e) Social Security
Low Priority	f) Tax cuts
	g) Other

Taxes
Indicate what levels you support concerning taxes, deductions, and tax credits in the following categories.
Income Taxes - Family Income
Greatly Decrease	a) Less than $25,000
Greatly Decrease	b) $25,000 - $75,000
Greatly Decrease	c) $75,000 - $150,000
Greatly Decrease	d) Over $150,000
	e) Other

Income Taxes - Retiree Income
Greatly Decrease	f) Over $40, 000
	g) Other

Other Taxes
Slightly Decrease	a) Alcohol taxes
Eliminate	b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status	c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease	d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease	e) Gasoline taxes
Eliminate	f) Inheritance taxes
	g) Other

Deductions/Credits
Slightly Increase	a) Charitable deductions
Greatly Increase	b) Medical expense deductions
Slightly Increase	c) Mortgage deductions
Slightly Increase	d) Child tax credit
Slightly Increase	e) Earned income tax credit
Slightly Increase	f) Student loan tax credit
	g) Other

Taxes
Yes	2) Do you support replacing the current U.S. income tax structure with a flat income tax?
No	3) Should a married couple filing jointly pay the same taxes as if they were an unmarried couple filing separately?
Yes	4) Would you cut taxes if there were an operating surplus?
No	5) Would you cut taxes and use Social Security surpluses to supplement the difference?
	6) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance issues.
	a) Support public taxpayer funding for Congressional candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
X	b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
	c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
	d) Provide free or low-cost television advertising to candidates who agree to voluntary campaign spending limits.
	e) Ban unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
X	f) Prohibit non-U.S. citizens from making soft money contributions to national parties or party committees.
X	g) Require full disclosure of funding sources of issue advocacy commercials which appear within 60 days of an election.
	h) Make campaign spending limits mandatory for all federal candidates.
X	i) Remove all contribution limits on federal candidates and parties, but require complete and immediate disclosure via the Internet.
X	j) Require Congressional candidates to raise over half of their campaign money from their home state.
	k) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.
X	a) Broaden the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X	b) Increase spending to build more federal prisons.
X	c) Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
X	d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X	e) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
	f) Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
	g) Increase funding for community policing programs.
	h) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
	i) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
	j) Enforcement of civil rights should primarily be the responsibility of the federal government.
X	k) Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
X	l) Provide block grants to states for implementation of programs to combat juvenile crime.
X	m) Impose harsher penalties for youths convicted of violent offenses.
X	n) Support the use of "boot camps" as alternative sentencing for juvenile offenders.
	o) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
	p) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning illegal drugs.
X	a) Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
	b) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X	c) Support capital punishment for convicted international drug traffickers.
	d) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
	e) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X	f) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.
	g) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
	h) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning education (K-12).
	a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
	b) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any publicly-funded school.
	c) Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious.
	d) Allow parents to use tax-free savings accounts to send their children to any publicly-funded school.
X	e) Allow parents to use tax-free savings accounts to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious.
X	f) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X	g) Promote education flexibility by giving federal funds, in the form of block grants, to the states to spend it as they see fit.
X	h) Increase funding for block grants to states to help them hire additional teachers.
	i) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
	j) Increase funding for computers and computer training in public schools.
	k) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X	l) Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs.
	m) Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
X	n) Eliminate federal financial aid for individuals convicted of drug offenses.
X	o) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
X	p) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
	q) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment and affirmative action.
X	a) Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment.
	b) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X	c) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
	d) Establish empowerment zones in areas with large numbers of unemployed people.
	e) Eliminate any federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
	f) Increase the federal minimum wage.
	g) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
X	h) Provide tax credits for businesses that offer on-site child care.
	i) The federal government should consider race and sex in making government contracting decisions.
	j) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
X	k) The federal government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
X	l) The federal government should utilize merit and qualifications in making government contracting decisions.
	m) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding America's environment and natural resources.
	a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
	b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
	c) Waive environmental review requirements for grazing permits.
	d) Revise the 1872 mining law to increase the fees charged to mining companies using federal lands.
X	e) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately owned land.
	f) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
	g) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
	h) Promote the selling of pollution credits between nations to encourage industries to decrease pollution levels.
	i) Strengthen logging restrictions on federal lands.
	j) Reduce current federal regulations on the environment.
X	k) Give states added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environment regulations.
	l) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.
	a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
	b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X	c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X	e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
	f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X	g) Increase penalties for the possession of any illegal guns.
	h) Hold gun owners responsible for crimes committed with their guns by children age 16 and under.
	i) Raise the minimum age for ownership of handguns from 18 to 21.
	j) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
	k) Require a license for gun possession.
	l) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.
X	a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
	b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
	c) Support health care strategies focused on prevention, including health education, and natural medicines and remedies.
X	d) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights to define and enforce the rights of insured patients, including greater access to specialists and emergency rooms, wider choice of health care providers, and appeal mechanisms when claims are denied.
	e) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to sue when claims are denied.
X	f) Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
X	g) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
X	h) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts, which would be taxed if used for purposes other than medical costs.
X	i) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
	j) Allow states and local communities to use federal funds for needle-exchange programs to combat the spread of HIV.
X	k) Provide citizens age 55-65 the option of purchasing Medicare health coverage.
X	l) Support legislation to provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
	m) Increase funding for AIDS programs.
	n) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration.
X	a) Decrease the number of immigrants allowed into the country.
	b) Increase the eligibility of legal immigrants for certain social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
	c) Require the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to reduce the time between applying for citizenship and taking the oath of allegiance to six months.
X	d) Provide extra federal aid to states with higher numbers of immigrants for necessary medical and social services.
	e) Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children.
X	f) Grant U.S. citizenship to children born in the US only if their parents immigrated legally.
X	g) Increase the immigration quota for computer scientists and other information technology workers.
X	h) Establish English as the official national language.
	i) Support the separation of the INS into two bureaus: one administering naturalization and one administering border patrol.
X	j) Increase state autonomy in handling immigration issues.
X	k) Reimburse states for providing services to illegal aliens.
	l) Other

International Aid
Indicate which principles (if any) you support regarding U.S. International Aid.
	a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X	b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the U. S.
X	c) Aid should be granted to countries that are close allies of the U. S. and in need of financial/military assistance.
	d) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
	e) Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated except for extraordinary circumstances.
	f) Other

International Policy
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.
	a) The U.S. should resolve future disputes with Iraq only through diplomatic means.
X	b) The U.S. should take unilateral military action if Iraq does not comply with all accepted United Nations resolutions.
X	c) The U.S. should take military action against Iraq only as part of an international effort.
	d) The U.S. should end the economic embargo against Iraq.
	e) The U.S. should not continue to play a prominent leadership role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestine Authority.
X	f) The U.S. should continue to play a prominent leadership role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestine Authority.
	g) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United States-United Nations relationship.
X	a) The U.S. should participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions only when vital U.S. interests are involved.
	b) The U.S. should not commit military troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
	c) The U.S. should withdraw completely from the United Nations.
	d) The U.S. should pay its debt to the United Nations.
	e) Other

No	3) Should the U.S. have full diplomatic relations with Cuba?
Yes	4) Should the U.S. have full diplomatic relations with China?
Undecided	5) Should the U.S. recognize and extend full diplomatic relations to Taiwan?
No	6) Should the US maintain ground troops in Kosovo?
Yes	7) Do you support the cooperative threat reduction programs with Russia to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to unfriendly nations?
Yes	8) Do you support modifying the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in order to deploy the National Missile Defense System?
	Other

International Trade
Yes	1) Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
Undecided	2) Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Undecided	3) Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Undecided	4) Do you support China becoming a member of the World Trade Organization?
Undecided	5) Do you support imposing tariffs on products imported from nations that maintain restrictive trade barriers on American products?
Yes	6) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation status) with the United States?
No	7) Do you support normal trade relations (most favored nation status) with Vietnam?
Undecided	8) Do you support granting the President "fast-track" authority in trade negotiations?
Yes	9) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?

Yes	Do you believe there has been a decline in moral and ethical standards in America over the last four decades?
	If Yes, please explain what you would do as a member of Congress to address this concern.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.
X	a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
X	b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
	c) Invest a portion of Social Security's assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of U.S. Treasury securities.
	d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
	e) Lower Social Security's annual cost-of-living increases.
	f) Limit Social Security benefits based on recipients' other income and assets.
	g) Require individuals to pay the Social Security tax on incomes above $68,400 (which is currently exempt).
X	h) Support a lock box measure, limiting Congress's ability to spend Social Security and Medicare surpluses on any other federal programs except Social Security and Medicare, until each program's long-term solvency is guaranteed.
	i) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology.
X	a) Continuing the moratorium on Internet sales taxes.
	b) Implement regulation of Internet content by the federal government.
	c) Support on-line voter registration.
	d) Support voting on-line.
X	e) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
X	f) Support strict penalties for Internet crimes such as hacking and Internet violence.
X	g) Support strong Internet privacy laws.
	h) Regulating the Internet should not in any way be controlled by the federal government.
	i) Other

Yes	Do you support amending the Constitution to limit the number of terms which members of Congress can serve?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding poverty and the welfare system.
	a) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
	b) Provide homeless families with apartment vouchers they can use to supplement the cost of an apartment.
X	c) Continue to give states and local governments responsibility for welfare programs through TANF block grants.
X	d) Maintain current welfare-to-work requirements in order for states to qualify for block grants.
	e) Restore food stamp programs to legal immigrants.
X	f) Transfer homeless housing programs to states through block grants.
	g) Provide continued Medicaid benefits for those welfare recipients who have moved from welfare to work.
X	h) Require states to return any unused welfare block grant funding to the federal government.
X	i) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based or other non-profit organizations.
	j) Other

	Please explain what your top two or three priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

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John A. Culberson

Representative John A. Culberson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Issue Positions

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Key

Congressional Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

Budgetary Priorities

Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following general categories.

Defense Spending

Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories.

Budget Surplus

Indicate your priorities for spending any anticipated federal budget surplus.

Taxes

Indicate what levels you support concerning taxes, deductions, and tax credits in the following categories.

Income Taxes - Family Income

Income Taxes - Retiree Income

Other Taxes

Deductions/Credits

Taxes

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance issues.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning illegal drugs.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning education (K-12).

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment and affirmative action.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding America's environment and natural resources.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration.

International Aid

Indicate which principles (if any) you support regarding U.S. International Aid.

International Policy

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United States-United Nations relationship.

International Trade

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding poverty and the welfare system.

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